American Gov. Ch.1 Test
why do you think that the ideal of liberty is important to the free enterprise system?
Because free enterprise allows for people and businesses to make their own choices about how to best produce, distribute and produce goods with limited interference from the government.
What is the "rule of law"?
Everyone must follow the law
dictatorship
a system of rule in which one person, a dictator, or a small group of people can hold unlimited power over government
divine right of kings
a theory put forth by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet that the king is answerable only to God, not the people he ruled
free enterprise
an economic system in which people and businesses make their own choices about how best to produce, distribute, and exchange goods and services, with limited interference from the government
republic
an indirect form of democracy that places political decision making at least one step away from the people; instead, people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
policy
any decision made by government in pursuit of a particular goal
what form of government has elected representatives that make decisions on behalf of the people
representative democracy
ideal
a conception of something in its most perfect form
power
the government's authority and ability to get things done
parliamentary system
a system of government in which the legislative and executive branches are combined
what are the main differences between federal, unitary, and confederal systems?
The main difference between the three is that the federal form splits with national along with state governments, the unitary form rests in the power of the states and confederal gives all the power to the national government.
Why was protecting economic freedom important to the founders?
They believed economic freedom allowed people to build wealth that would empower them to limit the power of government. key to preserve other freedoms.
majority rule
a decision-making system in which the candidate who receives more than half the votes cast, or more votes than any other candidate, wins the election
oligarchy
a dictatorship led by a small group of people; means "rule by a few"
liberal democracy
a form of democracy that protects the rights of the minority
state
a political community made up by a group of people that lives within a clearly defined territory
presidential system
a system of government distinguished by having a president who is elected by the people for a limited term of office
monarchy
a system of government headed by one person, such as a king or queen, who exercises absolute authority
confederal system
a system of government in which a confederation of independent states form a central government to pursue common interests
direct democracy
a system of government in which citizens meet regularly in a popular assembly to discuss issues and vote for leaders
federal system
a system of government in which power over people and territory is divided between a national government and smaller, regional levels of government
unitary system
a system of government in which sovereignty, or ultimate authority, rests in a single national government
what is an example of limited government
constitutional monarchy
What are the ideals of American Democracy?
liberty, equality, self-government
why did the framers of the U.S Constitution fear majority rule?
majority rule would pose a threat to the rights of individuals
liberty
the ability of people to act and think as they choose, as long as their choices do no harm to the liberty or well-being of others
self-government
the belief that ordinary people could aspire to rule themselves and do so as political equals
government
the formal structures and institutions through which decisions are made for a body of people
minority rights
the political rights held by groups who make up less than half of the population
politics
the process by which government makes and carries out decisions as to whose interests will be served in society
sovereignty
the supreme power of the state to act within its territory
equality
them to fair treatment under the law and equal opportunity in all aspects of life the principle that all people possess a fundamental, moral worth that entitles
social contract theory
theory of rule that says the first governments formed as a result of people agreeing among themselves to submit to the authority of a state, which in turn would protect and support them
legitimacy
when rulers are seen as right and proper by important segments of a nation's population